Materials R&D Engineer I/II

SPACE SYSTEMS

Rocket Lab’s Space Systems team is responsible for every satellite and satellite component made by Rocket Lab: from complete satellites destined for missions to the Moon and Mars, to the individual components and subsystems that make up a satellite like solar panels, flight software, reaction wheels and star trackers, separation systems, radios, and more. Our Space Systems team is made up of engineers, technicians, and designers who design, create, and put together our own satellites for missions across the commercial, government, and defense sectors, or who build and assemble satellite hardware and software that supports other satellite missions.

MATERIALS R&D ENGINEER I/II

Based out of Rocket Lab’s site in Albuquerque, NM, the Materials R&D Engineer participates in the development of new solar array components, technology, and manufacturing methods.  This person will first become closely familiar with the products we make and methods we use to make them, then work collaboratively with production engineers and other R&D engineers of various disciplines to create new products and new manufacturing processes to advance the state of the art.  This R&D position requires someone adept at solving problems across a wide variety of domains including electrical , thermal mechanical, and materials.  Join a driven team of pioneers relentlessly tackling challenging projects, delivering on the impossible, and making an impact on the future of space!

(Please note: this position can be hired at the Materials R&D Engineer I or Materials R&D Engineer II level) 

WHAT YOU’LL GET TO DO:

• Develop space solar power technology that is among the highest efficiency and lightest ever made.
• Advance the state of the art in space solar technology.
• Participate in and lead hardware design projects from concept to production.
• Develop, qualify and implement new assembly processes including new equipment and advanced automation.
• Work with and lead multidisciplinary project teams.
• Participate in strategic product road-mapping.
• Learn something new every day by becoming a subject matter expert in varied areas of expertise.
• Use organizational skills for leading project teams, managing multiple concurrent projects, and planning, prioritizing and documenting work.
• Develop a strong theoretical understanding of the science and engineering principles that underpin space solar panels and assembly equipment
• Train others, recommend improvements, and conduct meaningful experiments.
• Solve multi-disciplinary electrical, thermal, mechanical, and materials problems for space solar panel products that must survive in multi-effects environments.
• Use failure analysis methods such as five why, fishbone diagrams, root cause analysis, and FMEA to identify potential causes of failures and develop solutions.
• Document and communicate work product using written and spoken reports and presentations.

YOU’LL BRING THESE QUALIFICATIONS MATERIALS R&D ENGINEER I:

• Bachelor’s degree in materials science, materials engineering, or a chemical engineering or physics degree with relevant coursework in the materials discipline
• 2+ years of experience in materials related development or research

YOU’LL BRING THESE QUALIFICATIONS MATERIALS R&D ENGINEER II:

• Bachelor’s degree in materials science, materials engineering, or a chemical engineering or physics degree with relevant coursework in the materials discipline
• 5+ years of experience in materials related development or research

THESE QUALIFICATIONS WOULD BE NICE TO HAVE:

• Experience with the interconnection and adhesive bonding used in space solar arrays
• Experience in the metallurgy of creating reliable electro-mechanical joints and interconnections such as with solder, welding, thermo-compression bonding, or conductive adhesives
• Experience in metallurgy regarding the physical properties and structure of metals, crystallography, phase transformations, and microstructure analysis
• Experience in metallurgy, in particular the mechanical properties of metal, such as strength, ductility, hardness, and toughness, and how these properties can be manipulated through processing and alloying
• Experience in semiconductor materials and device theory and applications, particularly solar cell materials and devices
• Experience in polymer adhesive science and engineering, particularly the selection, testing and implementation of silicone and other polymer adhesives
• Experience in the mechanical and reliability testing of joints , adhesives, and interconnects
• Familiarity with the space environment and space solar technology
• Hand’s on experience building prototypes and experimental validation
• Experience with a structured product development process including Requirements definition, PDR, CDR, MRR
• Experience with FMEA analysis, Design of Experiments, Root Cause Analysis, Return on Investment analysis, statistical analysis

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS: 

• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to focus.
• Regularly required to sit, use hands and fingers, operate computer keyboard and controls, and communicate verbally and in writing.
• Must be physically able to commute to buildings
• Occasional exposure to dust, fumes and moderate levels of noise.